Another W124 300D Glow Plug Question
 

Has anybody ever managed to replace all the glow plugs without taking off the intake manifold

I think I could get to most of them by removing all the injector lines but the rear one might be tricky.

I ask because I really don't want to mess with the IM, gasket and all the crap attached to it.

I'll do it if there's no alternative.

I also insist on replacing them ALL.

If I can't replace them all then I'll go ahead and take off the IM, begrudgingly....

1/4 inch drive w/swivel adapter, approach from the rear (fire wall) parallel to engine.

I have changed my glow plugs twice. The first time I tried, and got two out before I gave up and pulled the intake.

The second time I didnt even try to do it without pulling the intake. The entire job only took me 2 hours the second time. Plus, if you take off the intake, you can take it to the parts store and have it hot tanked to clean out the inside.

I guess this requires a pretty long 1/4 inch drive extension?

You got them all out this way?

I was hoping against hope this was possible but I wasn't sure it was.

#1 and #2 are easy to get to with the IM installed. Haven't had to deal with the others yet.

If the IM hasn't been off in awhile, do yourself a favor and take it off and clean it out- its not that big of a deal. Also clean out the intake ports on the head, just rotate the crankshaft until each set of valves are closed and use a 1" plumbers brush with some solvent and vacuum it out.

04diesel
 

'did his with the IM installed . (Same 1/4 drive,swivel,extensions)

Only the #2. It was the only one needing changing.